Challenges, Hopes and Dreams of Interracial Families

The homogenous face of the American family is rapidly changing as interracial marriages and transracial and international adoptions become more commonplace. According to the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, there are approximately 7 million people in the United States who identify as mixed race. And by 2050, it’s estimated that the mixed race population will grow to 21 percent.

The Copeland family of Vancouver.

While this diverse culture continues to quickly emerge, its newness can still feel a bit foreign to much of mainstream America and often to interracial families themselves. When distinct and separate cultures blend into one loving family, unique experiences reveal uncharted waters. And navigation through the unknown can be exciting but challenging for all.
Clark County, Washington is certainly not the cultural melting pot of Miami, San Francisco, Las Vegas or New York. But as families continue to move here from all over the country, the level of diversity rises. Vancouver Public Schools administrator Kirsten Copeland observes there are not many multi-racial students in the district, but he has noticed a recent influx of new faces which is providing fresh opportunities for kids to authentically interact across cultures. This trend is both professionally and personally meaningful to Copeland, as he, an African American, and his Caucasian wife Shelly, gave birth to their baby girl Kora last year.

To read more, pick up a copy of the February 2016 issue at any of these locations, or view the digital archive copy here.